Thirty-three Wrights Group Engineering Apprentices have been recognised for outstanding progress and attainment.

They were celebrated at the fifth annual Wrights Group Apprenticeship Awards last Thursday which was hosted by Fred Greer, Group Learning and Development Manager, and featured Professor of IC Engines Technology at Queen’s University, Roy Douglas, as keynote speaker.

Senior Directors from Wrights Group, Seven Towers Training, the graduates along with their parents and friends gathered to celebrate the achievement of the Apprenticeship NI engineering qualifications and career development milestones.

Professor Douglas said: “Good technical training, such as NVQ and City and Guilds, is vitally important for both industry and the economy in Northern Ireland. For Wrights Group, this is doubly important as their reputation is built on technical excellence with a high quality of build and customer support.

“The apprentices, recognised here tonight, will have a considerable contribution to the ongoing success of the company ensuring that new buses will incorporate leading edge technologies and will continue to be manufactured to the same exacting standards.”

This year 33 Wrights Group Engineering Apprentices were recognised for outstanding progress and attainment as they complete the four-year Apprenticeship NI in Engineering having successfully completed 12 NVQ units and 12 City & Guilds technical diplomas, in addition to “hands on” experience of bus manufacturing for domestic and European customers.

The Apprentice Training is provided through the Wrights Group in partnership with Seven Towers Training, and supported by the Department for Employment & Learning.

The apprentices were each presented with Record of Achievement portfolio containing certificates marking the completion of their formal Apprenticeships NI qualification.

In addition, some Special Recognition Awards were presented at the ceremony.

The Most Driven Apprentice (sponsored by Seven Towers Training) went to Michael McAleese for remarkable overall academic and practical achievements while the Highest Academic Achiever Award (sponsored by Wrights Group) was jointly awarded to Jason Johnston and Colwyn Thompson for top marks in their NVQ and Diploma work.

Steven Francey, Wrights Group Chief Operating Officer, said: “Every graduate here today will play a crucial role in creating future products we can take pride in - industry experience, a constant strive for new innovations and the skills obtained on our apprenticeship training scheme are the essence of our future leaders.”